Howard University

Howard University is considered a Black Ivy league school. The Black Ivy League refers to a segment of the historically black colleges (HBCUs) in the U.S. that attract a majority of high-performing or affluent black students. Howard University is often called as 'The Mecca' and is most recognizable and elite of all the HBCUs. It is known for the following things:

• Its notable alumni that include names like Nobel-prize winning author Toni Morrison, Vice President of the U.S. Kamala Harris, and former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall
• The Karsh STEM scholar program

Howard University acceptance rate is 35% for first-year applicants. Looking at this acceptance rate, it can be said that the university is quite selective at the time of admission. The unofficial sources claim that the university’s acceptance rate is 53%. So, to have the upper hand of taking admission at this university, the applicants must aim to have a strong academic profile. Also, they must meet the entry requirements and application requirements. General entry requirements are having passed High school for admission to UG courses and having a bachelor’s degree for admission to PG courses.

Howard University is one of the nation's leading research universities. It received R1 Carnegie Classification, including “very high research spending and doctorate production.” Howard University is the only Black college or university that has achieved the R1 designation. A few of the research highlights of this university include:

Also, note Howard University is one of the only six institutions selected worldwide as academic partners of the Center for Power Optimization of Electro-Thermal Systems, that conducts groundbreaking research in power density to make electrical mobility more efficiency and practical

HBCU means Historically Black College and University. Forbes and LinkedIn named Howard Uni as #1 HBCU in the U.S. There are 14 colleges and schools of this university. It is a leader in STEM fields. Also, note that Howard Uni is the only HBCU to ever hold R1 status. 

Howard University acceptance rate is 35% which shows that the admissions at the university is very competitive for international students. It is known for academic excellence through a highly selective admission process. So, some of the things that Howard University look for in the applicants are:

• Who demonstrates strong personal motivation along with backgrounds of consistent academic growth and achievement
• The minimum GPA for the class profile of 2025 is 3.66

Howard University ranks among the the highest producers of the nation's Black professionals in Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Architecture, Nursing, Social Work, etc. Also, note that Howard University is a leader in STEM fields. Also, the university's College of Medicine is internationally regarded for its legacy of training students to become competent and compassionate physicians who provide healthcare in medically underserved communities at home and abroad. Furthermore, Howard is the only historically black college (HBCUs) to be ranked in Top 100 as per a top-ranking publisher 2025 ranking. In the 2025 National Universities ranking, Howard ranks at #86.

Given below are some of the general entry requirements for Indian students seeking admission to Howard Uni: 

• UG: Students must have passed high school. Make sure to meet the recommended coursework such as 4 years of English, 3 years of Mathematics, 2 years of Social Science, 2 years of Science, and 2 years of foreign language
• PG: A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to Howard Uni USA
• English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL / IELTS scores are accepted from international students

Howard University is known for its STEM programs. The National Science foundation has ranked this university as the top producer of African-American Undergraduates who earn Science and Engineering Doctoral degrees. Also, this university boasts nationally-ranked programs in Social Work, Business and Communications. Howard University School of Social Work ranks at #12 in U.S. News and World Report in the 204 rankings. This makes this university ranks among the Top 5% of Best Schools of Social Work nationwide.

Yes, IELTS is accepted by Howard University. TOEFL scores can also be submitted. The minimum scores required in both of these English language proficiency tests for admission to graduate courses are given below:

Tests

Minimum Score for UG Courses

Minimum Score for Graduate Courses

TOEFL iBT

79

90

IELTS

6.5

6.5

Howard University eligibility for international students are given below-

• To pursue the undergraduate courses of Howard, the applicants must complete high school
• The applicants must have an academic record equivalent to 4-year bachelor's degree of Howard University

Howard University has many famous personalities who have studied there. A few of these names are Kamala Harris, Sean Combs, Chadwick Boseman, Taraji. P Henson, Toni Morrison, etc. The designations of these famous celebrities are given below:

Names

Profession

Kamala Harris

Politician and Attorney

Chadwick Boseman

Actor

Sean Combs

Rapper, Producer, Record Producer, etc.

Taraji. P Henson

Actress

Lazaro Alonso

Actor

Debbie Allen

Actress, Dancer, Singer, etc.

Toni Morrison

Novelist

Thurgood Marshall

Civil Rights Lawyer and Jurist

Yes international students of Howard University are eligible to work on campus and off campus also for on campus employment Howard University students can work up to 20 hours per week maximum however when classes are out of session international students may work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

The top recruiters of Howard University alumni are:

• Deloitte
• Amazon
• Google
• Microsoft
• U.S. Department of the State
• Apple
• Goldman Sachs
• JP MorganChase

As per Payscale.com, the average salary of Howard University graduates is USD 77,000 per year (Around INR 69 lakh). The job-wise salary details are given below: 

Yes, Howard Uni international students are allowed to part-time. They can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic terms. They can work 40 hours per week during the winter and summer breaks. Students can also opt for off-campus employment 

To get admission to Howard University MBA course, students require GMAT or GRE score. To apply for this course, students are required to have 4 year UG degree. 2 years of work experience is also required. GPA of 3.0 is required for UG degree. Documents to be submitted are-

• Academic transcripts
• English language proficiency score
• Personal Statement
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Current Resume

For UG course admission, the applicants can apply via Common App. On the other hand, for admission to graduate courses, the applicants can apply by accessing the direct application form links that can be accessed from the course pages. Howard University application deadlines for international students are given below:

Particulars

UG Application Deadlines

Early Action

Nov 1, 2026

Early Decision

Nov 1, 2026

Regular Decision

Feb 1, 2027

No, GRE is not required for admission to Howard University MS in CS course. Those who want to take admission to this university must have an Undergraduate degree with an overall GPA of 3.0. Other application materials required for this course are-

• SOP (500 - 1,000 words)
• Three LORs
• Resume
• Transcripts of the previous studies

Howard University offers financial aid to international students through the International Student Financial Aid Application which includes the following:

• The applicant must apply through the questionnaire that includes age, degree type, legal dependents, marital status, and parents status. 
• The student will receive an aid offer package or scheduled financial aid.
• The application should have a file that includes their signature, Income or Wages and Tax Data

Yes, international students at Howard are eligible for a need-based financial aid. These students are required to submit an IFSAA. This has to be submitted before the deadlines. The processing time is up to 14 business days from the date the Office of Financial Aid get the completed IFSAA file. 

Howard University tuition cost is INR 32L. For a UG program, the total cost for studying at Howard University includes housing, food, books, transport, and more. Students can check the Howard University cost below

Particulars

Expenses for UG courses

Housing

USD 12,380 (Around INR 10.5 L)

Food

USD 6,602 (Around INR 5.6 L)

Books & supplies

USD 1,220 (Around INR 1 L)

Transportation

USD 1,154 (Around INR 98k)

Personal / Misc. expenses

USD 2,494 (Around INR 2.13 L)

According to the cost of attendance for Howard University LLM course, the tuition is USD 39,780 for 2025-26 (Around INR 34 lakh) and the university mandatory fee is USD 1,632. Other indirect fees are given below:

Particulars

Expenses

Housing

USD 19,494 (Around INR 16.6 L)

Food

USD 6,700 (Around INR 5.7 L)

Transportation

USD 3,355 (Around INR 2.8 L)

Personal / Misc. expenses

USD 3,986 (Around INR 3.4 L)

Books / Supplies

USD 1,900 (Around INR 1.62 L)

Howard University MBA cost is around INR 62 L for first-year for international students. The duration of MBA programme at the university is 18 months to 24 months. The table below includes the complete first-year cost to study the program:

Fees components

Amount (for 1 year)

Tuition & fees

INR 62,14,117

Transportation

INR 2,41,469

Personal/Misc Expenses

INR 3,25,276

Books and Supplies

INR 1,13,750

Application fee

INR 10,288

Total approximate fees

INR 69,04,900

Also read: MBA Cost in the USA for Indian Students

More than 130 courses are offered by Howard University. The courses are offered at the Undergraduate and Graduate levels. A few Professional programs are also offered. Over 50 UG programs and more than 100 PG programs are offered. Study fields at the undergraduate level are Arts, Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Business, etc. Study areas at the PG level are Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Sociology, etc. The university has 13 schools and colleges namely:

• Arts & Sciences
• Business
• Dentistry
• Communications
• Education
• Engineering
• Divinity
• Architecture & Computer Sciences
• Law
• Graduate School
• Medicine
• Nursing & Allied Health Sciences
• Pharmacy and Social Work

Howard is a leader in STEM fields. The university boasts nationally ranked programs in Business, Communications and Social Work. Popular majors at Howard University are:

• Business and Management Studies
• Health and Medicine
• Engineering
• Psychology
• Social Sciences
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Fortune names Howard University among the Best MBA programs for 2025. It has been ranked at No. 44 in Fortune’s Best MBA programs for 2025. This programme of Howard is well known for its ability to prepare students for leadership careers in Business, Government, and Non-Profit Organizations. Howard’s MBA course is accredited by the AACSB. The reasons to pursue this course are:

• Competitive salary after graduation
• Student-to-faculty access: 3:1 ratio
• Concentration variety
• Classroom diversity
• Scholarship & Graduate Assistantship Opportunities

Yes. <a href="https://www.shiksha.com/studyabroad/usa/universities/howard-university/masters-in-public-health-m-p-h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Howard University's Master of Public Health </a>is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). For 2027, the admission intake for this course is just in Fall 2027.

While studying in Washington D.C and studying the MPH course, the students will be in short distance from leading public health organizations like Public Health Foundation, American Health Public Association, Pan American Health Organizations. 

Howard Uni ranking is #1093 in Best Global Universities category by U.S. News. In other world rankings, Howard ranks at #1001-1200 position in 2025 and 2026. Looking at the world rankings, it can be said that Howard ranks at Top 1500 Universities in the world. 

In the U.S. rankings, Howard University ranking is #88 in 2026 National Universities rankings. In the previous year's rankings, this university was ranked at #86. It is also ranked at #141 in the Best Value schools category. Considering the US-based rankings, this university ranks among the Top 100 Universities in the U.S. Also, in the historically Black college or university (HBCU), the top programs of this university are Economics, Computer Science, Business, Psychology, etc. 

Some of the subject rankings of Howard University as per U.S. News 2026 rankings are-

More than 200 registered student organizations at Howard University. Types of student organizations are Geography Clubs, International Clubs, Sports Clubs, Sports & Department Clubs, etc. International clubs at the university provide a social outlet for international students while providing a means to bring US and international students together. 

A few of the features of Howard University campus life include the 200+ clubs, 21 Division I athletic teams, fulfilling service opportunities, etc. Some of the student organizations at the university are Geography Clubs, Sports Clubs, International Clubs, etc. International clubs, in particular, provide a social outlet for international students while providing a means to bring U.S. and international students together. Since, Howard Uni is located in Washington, DC, students have endless opportunities to experience a wide range of variety of cultural events and activities. 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is one of the leading research universities in the U.S. The main campus of this university is home to 256 acres of land across the district of Maryland and Columbia. The university's main campus is in Northwest D.C. While studying at this university, students can enjoy 200+ student clubs and organizations or take part in Division I athletic teams.